Good news to Filipino Senior Citizens! The House of Senate is proposing a Php10,000 cash gift for senior citizens age 80-90. Seniors above 100 years old will receive Php100,000. Senator Leila de Lima spearheads Senate Bill No. 1319 which will give the cash gifts to the seniors. If approved, the bill is another senior citizen benefit, aside from Republic Act 10868, which rewards Php100,000 to centenarians. The bill hopes to assist more senior citizens as they grow older.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development or DSWD reports cases of senior citizens who don’t reach age 100. The world average of life expectancy is 72, but most Filipino seniors only reach 69.3 years old. The new bill aims to give them some incentive.
De Lima insists that most 100-yr old citizens won’t enjoy the cash gifts anymore because of their age. The new bill can, at least, give them hope and money to spend on some of the things they need. Other senators are sponsoring the bill. They are Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel, and Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla, Jr.
The Philippines has a lot of benefits for seniors. One of these is the discount for medicines, groceries, and restaurant foods. It won’t hurt to get more benefits for them. They can use it because many seniors retire with no money. Many of them had to raise their children that they weren’t able to save for their future. It’s good that the Philippine government recognizes our elders. They need help.
Let’s hope that more senators will make better bills for senior citizens. Aside from food, shelter, and clothing, they also need money allowance for recreation while they can.
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